i can't believe you're all ignoring this thread. So many GREAT animations to nominate. And this film, which is available on YouTube, is one of the greatest of all animations. It brings a tear to my eye. Don't deny yourself; check out this masterpiece. Funny, touching, fast-paced, great music, this short film is revelatory. Get with it, all y'all.

Thanks for the suggestions Allhallowsday. These things always seem to loose steam about halfway through.

Might I suggest The Brave Little Toaster? It's got a good adventure story, which touches many emotions humor, sadness, excitement, even fear. It was directed by John Lasseter, who went on to become the head of Pixar and Disney animation studios. The animation's not much better than an 80's TV show; still, there's some nice shots.

I've seen it several times over the years, as it was a regular Halloween hit on WNEW 5's Creature Features. Good fun movie with the voices of Boris Karloff and Phyllis Diller as two of the main characters. The movies is an early Rankin-Bass hit that, no doubt, inspired Tim Burton and his own animated funa and craziness he's been known to create.

74. THE SIMPSONS MOVIE 2007Hilarious film version of the series. I was skeptical because I felt the show had gone overly political or had too many jokes that would go way over my head. The movie was much more suited to my tastes. And Homer has NEVER been dumber and more spontaneous than in this film. I cracked up repeatedly.

...I meant that people seem to loose interest in these lists half way through, not that the later entries are worse that the first entries.

Of course, I haven't been here long. You'd know more than I do about how well different topics fare.

I see. Great topic. Regarding "Woodland Cafe" one of the greatest synthesis of music and animation:

The Spider And The Fly

"Will you walk into my parlor?" said the spider to the fly;"'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you may spy.The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,And I have many curious things to show when you are there.""Oh no, no," said the little fly; "to ask me is in vain,For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."

"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high.Well you rest upon my little bed?" said the spider to the fly."There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,And if you like to rest a while, I'll snugly tuck you in!""Oh no, no," said the little fly, "for I've often heard it said,They never, never wake again who sleep upon your bed!"

Said the cunning spider to the fly: "Dear friend, what can I doTo prove the warm affection I've always felt for you?I have within my pantry good store of all that's nice;I'm sure you're very welcome - will you please to take a slice?""Oh no, no," said the little fly; "kind sir, that cannot be:I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"

"Sweet creature!" said the spider, "you're witty and you're wise;How handsome are your gauzy wings; how brilliant are your eyes!I have a little looking-glass upon my parlor shelf;If you'd step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.""I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you're pleased to say,And, bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day."

The spider turned him round about, and went into his den,For well he knew the silly fly would soon come back again:So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly,And set his table ready to dine upon the fly;Then came out to his door again and merrily did sing:"Come hither, hither, pretty fly, with pearl and silver wing;Your robes are green and purple; there's a crest upon your head;Your eyes are like diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!"

Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little fly,Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer grew,Thinking only of her brilliant eyes and green and purple hue,Thinking only of her crested head. Poor, foolish thing! at lastUp jumped the cunning spider, and fiercely held her fast;He dragged her up his winding stair, into the dismal den -Within his little parlor - but she ne'er came out again!

And now, dear little children, who may this story read,To idle, silly flattering words I pray you ne'er give heed;Unto an evil counselor close heart and ear and eye,And take a lesson from this tale of the spider and the fly.

They all have the same plot structure, but what of that? They've got excellent animation: rotoscopy which looks realistic instead of freaky, cool special FX, cinematic camera movements, etc. Besides all that, the action segment are exciting, and the shorts mark the first time Superman appeared on film.

I just watched this movie out of the need to just have something lighthearted (not feeling well) and it's instantly become a classic to me. The animation is lively and the solid backdrop of Paris is lovingly created. It's a musical in what I'd call a literal sense, that is to mean that musical numbers occur in settings that make sense and not just out in the street or at breakfast. Here's an example with what I think is one of the best songs, the best being reserved for the soulful number outside the theater. Watch the film to enjoy that one in its full context.

More and more it seems that I need to look outside the US for animated features that are more than slapstick and A-list voices. That's what I think is so great about A Monster In Paris: it focuses on style, story, characters, and emotion. I love this film and couldn't recommend it highly enough.